News / Falcons
Readying 'Midtown Touchdown' Festival in Piedmont Park to
Kick Off 2006 Season in a Big Way
Thousands Expected for First-Ever Pro Sports Festival in
the Park
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga., July 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meadow at
Atlanta's Piedmont Park will look more like Falcons headquarters
in Flowery Branch on Saturday, August 5 when the Atlanta
Falcons host their first-ever Midtown Touchdown festival
- a sweeping mix of football and entertainment activities
that will blanket the park and officially kick off the 2006
season.
Midtown Touchdown will give fans of all ages a chance to
experience the excitement of the upcoming season through
interactive family games; autograph sessions with Falcons
players, alumni and cheerleaders; football drills; cheerleading
clinics; food; live music; giveaways and other fun activities.
The afternoon and evening celebration marks the first time
a professional sports team has taken over an Atlanta city
park for an event of this magnitude.
Highlights include:
- An "under the helmet" evening practice session
at nearby Grady Stadium, where Head Coach Jim Mora and Falcons
players wearing microphones will give fans a chance to join
in as they run drills inside the 7,500 seat venue. Falcons
radio personalities Wes Durham and Dave Archer will be on
hand to provide sideline interviews and commentary.
- The debut of the 2005 Falcons Highlights Film, "Relentless
Resolve," which will be broadcast immediately following
the practice session on large-scale video screens positioned
at the stadium.
- An hour's worth of player autograph signings spread across
six signing areas, to give fans more opportunity to meet
their favorite players up close. Signings by Falcons VIP
alumni and cheerleaders will also be held at the park.
- A "Falcons Walk" procession from the park to
the Grady Stadium practice, giving players and fans an opportunity
to interact along the way.
- Live music and fireworks.
Midtown Touchdown replaces the annual Falcons Kickoff Luncheon,
formerly held at the Georgia Dome each August prior to the
start of the season.
"We want to make this a fun and exciting experience
for as many fans as possible," Atlanta Falcons owner
and CEO Arthur Blank said. "In a bold and dramatic
way, we want to say to Georgia and our fans, 'Thanks for
supporting the team, and here's a chance for you and your
family to come on out, have a great time, and get fired
up for a great season.'"
The Falcons partnered with the City of Atlanta, the Piedmont
Park Conservancy and Atlanta Public Schools to bring Midtown
Touchdown to Atlanta.
"I'm thrilled that we could partner with the Falcons
and our Midtown neighbors to bring a one-of-a-kind event
like this to the City of Atlanta," said Atlanta Mayor
Shirley Franklin. "This event resonates with me not
only from the City's perspective, but also as a fan. I think
Midtown Touchdown will make the start of the season even
more exciting for fans throughout the area."
Presenting sponsors for Midtown Touchdown are Delta Air
Lines, BellSouth, SunTrust, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
and Metro Atlanta KIA Dealers.
"We hope to provide a true festival-like atmosphere
that creates opportunities for all fans - including those
who've never had a chance to attend a Falcons game - to
interact with their team," said Rich McKay, Falcons
President and General Manager. "Ultimately we want
to create a tradition that genuinely lets our fans know
that we value their support of the team, and that they are
a very real part of the Falcons experience."
Getting There-Transportation and Parking
Fans traveling to Piedmont Park for Midtown Touchdown are
strongly encouraged to take public transportation. The MARTA
Midtown Station provides convenient access to the park via
10th and Peachtree Streets. Visit www.itsmarta.com for specific
MARTA route information. For fans traveling by car, limited
parking will be available at designated paid lots in Midtown.
Ticket Information
Entrance to Midtown Touchdown at Piedmont Park is free to
all fans; tickets to the practice at Grady Stadium are $5
each and go on sale July 10, with proceeds benefiting Atlanta
Public Schools athletic programs. Tickets can be purchased
by visiting the Falcons 365 stores at Lenox and Perimeter
malls or online at www.falcons365.com.
Autograph Procedure
Falcons players will be available for autographs for one
hour during Midtown Touchdown. To receive autographs, fans
must obtain a ticket at designated stations in Piedmont
Park on the day of the event beginning at 3 p.m. Autograph
tickets will not be available in advance of the event. Each
ticket is numbered and corresponds to a numbered autograph
tent at the park. Tickets are free and entitle fans to receive
an autograph only from the players at the corresponding
autograph tent. Falcons alumni and cheerleaders will also
be available for autographs before and after the player
autograph session.
The gates at Piedmont Park open at 3 p.m. on the day of
the event, with all festivities ending at 10 p.m. Fans are
encouraged to check www.atlantafalcons.com throughout the
summer for more Falcons Midtown Touchdown details.
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